The Lessons of Hardball or How Politics is Really Played


Overview: Chris Matthews' states in the introduction to Hardball that "the premise of [his] book is straightforward: to get ahead in life, you can learn a great deal from those who get ahead for a living. . . .Once you learn the rules, you will have the street smarts not only to survive the world of everyday politics but to thrive in it." (18). So what are the rules and how do they apply to the world of American politics in 2009? Those are the question we're going to tackle over the course of the next few days.

Your Task
This assignment rates a 4 on the collaboration scale. Every member of the group is expected to participate actively in completing the following tasks. Every member of the group should also take part in the presentation.
  • Define the RULE presented in your chapter in your own words and how following this rule/lesson will help you win the game of politics.
  • Provide an EXAMPLE of that rule from the book in your own words
  • Provide AT LEAST ONE EXAMPLE of the rule from recent politics in your own words
  • Provide links/citations to your sources
  • Prepare a BRIEF presentation tomorrow to the class on your rule. (8 minutes total)
  • Complete a properly formatted Works Cited for any sources used in additional to Hardball

Wiki Page Requirements
Your wiki page should:
  • Be well-organized, using headings and/or bulleted lists to group related material.
  • Make excellent and effective use of color, font, and graphics to enhance the presentation
  • Include at least ONE well chosen image to enhance the presentation (copy the image location rather than upload the image to the wiki page)
  • Include at least ONE embedded widget (video, audio) where applicable
  • Include a Works Cited section at the bottom of the page in proper MLA format

Resources for Current Examples

Rubric

U.S. GOVT II & US GOVT II HONORS
Hardball Assignment
Group:
Assessment: /50 points
Category
Possible Points
Earned Points
The Rule
· Clear and accurate explanation of the rule
· Excellent effort to express the main ideas in your own words
5 points

Hardball Example
· Well chosen example
· Clear and accurate explanation of the example
· Excellent effort to express the main ideas in your own words
10 points

Current Example
· Well-chosen and effective current example
· Clear and accurate explanation of the example and why it relates to the chapter
· Excellent effort to express the main ideas in your own words
10 points

Wiki Page
· Well organized
· Accurate information
· Effective use of color, font, graphics, and widgets
· Few if any GUM errors
10 points

Presentation
· Well-organized
· Concise
· Inclusive
· Well-rehearsed
10 points

Works Cited
· Complete and accurate
· Correct citation format
5 points

Total
50 points

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